‘Bench Mob’ Not a Factor So Far

Getting major points from non-starters is something Sacramento enjoyed throughout the regular season. Led by backup guard Jon Barry, the Kings’ reserves outscored their counterparts 51 times during the season, earning their “Bench Mob” nickname.

But against the Lakers, it has been a different story. The points that came so easy for them during the regular season have become hard to come by as the Lakers continue to keep the Kings from running.

“We’re trying to play the same way,” Barry said. “Our second unit plays with a lot of energy. When we move the ball, we are very good on offense. We like to play up-tempo and get out and pressure people and play good defense. We’re not really changing anything just because it is the playoffs. We have to play the same way.”

Although Sacramento’s reserves have outscored the Lakers’ bench over the first two games of the series, Barry said it’s more because of the contrasting styles of the two teams.

“They run a system and they have guys who fit in well,” Barry said about the Lakers’ second-unit players. “They are not asked to shoulder the burden of scoring . . . there are not many shots out there for those guys. Obviously, you want [Shaquille O’Neal], Kobe [Bryant] and Glen [Rice] taking all of your looks.

“Guys like [Rick] Fox, [Robert] Horry and [Brian] Shaw are very capable players. But that is not part of their roles. You can’t say one team has a better second unit or whatever. The situation is different on each team.”

*

Reserve second-year forward Predrag Stojakovic ripped through the Lakers during the regular season, averaging 20.3 points in four games. In the playoffs, however, Stojakovic has been quiet. In Game 2 Thursday, Stojakovic had only three points in 16 minutes.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

KINGS’ BIG 3

DIVAC

*--*

Thu. Series 14 Points 12.0 7 Rebounds 5.5 4 Assists 6.0

*--*

*

WILLIAMS

*--*

Thu. Series 9 Points 14.5 1 Rebounds 1.0 1 Assists 2.0

*--*

*

WEBBER

*--*

Thu. Series 22 Points 25.0 12 Rebounds 8.5 6 Assists 3.5

*--*